Beyond biologics: fungal polysaccharides as dual-function materials for nanomedicine

Fungal polysaccharides exhibit a unique dual role in nano-delivery systems as both bioactive agents and functional carrier materials. Their intrinsic biocompatibility, biodegradability, and immunomodulatory properties enable applications in cancer therapy, immunoregulation, inflammation control, and nutrient delivery. As active components, their therapeutic efficacy is often limited by poor solubility and low bioavailability - issues that can be overcome via nanotechnology strategies such as encapsulation in nanoparticles, nanogels, and nanoemulsions. When used as carriers, fungal polysaccharides offer high drug-loading capacity, tunable surface chemistry, and inherent immune-targeting potential. They enable controlled release, improved stability, and synergistic effects in combination therapies and vaccine adjuvants. However, challenges remain in structural standardization, reproducibility, and understanding structure - activity relationships - particularly regarding higher-order conformations and their biological implications. This review summarizes recent advances in fungal polysaccharide-based nano-delivery systems, emphasizing their structural attributes, formulation strategies, and multifunctional therapeutic roles. It also outlines future directions, including smart carrier design, stimuli-responsiveness, and scalable production. A deeper understanding of their structural biology will guide the rational development of safe and efficient polysaccharide-based nanoplatforms for precision medicine.